When we were examining a picture in the Paul Harris Gallery in Evanston, we could not understand why it was there. We knew that Paul Harris was not in Scotland in 1931 and we could only imagine that he was in some way connected with someone in the photograph. The most likely candidate was Jean Harris' brother who was a clergyman, but it still begged the question, what was the occasion and was Rev John Youngson Thomson there?

At this point we had contact with PDG Ian Campbell, a keen and knowledgeable Scottish historian. It was possible to decipher the names of those in the picture and Ian was then able to make a reasoned guess as to the occasion. Rev Thomson was indeed there, 4th from the right in the back row.

By looking through various documents relating to the Church in Scotland and to Scottish newspapers, Ian Campbell was able to identify almost all the people shown.

Back Row left to right

The Mace Bearer

The Lord President's Mace is carried by the Falkland Macer

The Marquis of Douglas and Clydesdale

Keeper of the House and an Aide-de-Camp The Duke of Hamilton (Scotland's premier noble) is the hereditary bearer of the office of Keeper of the House. This was Alfred Douglas Douglas-Hamilton. He was probably represented here by The Marquis of Douglas & Clydesdale, who is the eldest son of the Duke of Hamilton. The Title of 13th Duke of Hamilton and 10th Duke of Brandon passed to Alfred Douglas Douglas-Hamilton (1862-1940) in 1895. He was also the 9th Earl of Selkirk, a title succeeded to in 1940 by Lord) George Nigel Douglas-Hamilton the younger brother of Douglas-Douglas-Hamilton, (under terms of special remainder) in favour of George, who became the 10th Earl of Selkirk.

Lord George Nigel is to be seen at the extreme right of the back row.

Mr Oswald Barclay

Captain J D J MacRae (Younger of Eilean Donan) was an Aide-de-Camp

Captain E D Stevenson M.C. late of The Seaforth Highlanders was The Purse-Bearer and head of the House

John Charles Watson, K.C. who was Solicitor General for Scotland

Rev John Youngson Thomson was Chaplain to the Lord High Commissioner of the General Assembly and was also Paul Harris' brother in Law, brother of Jean Thomson.

He was Minister at the Elder Memorial Presbyterian Church in Leith. The Chaplain to the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is a completely different Office. The Moderator had two Chaplains who would have assisted him with the many arrangements for the General Assembly.

Lt-Commander J H Jauncey R.N. was an Aide-de-Camp

Mr John Brown was Secretary to His Grace The Lord High Commissioner. He was also His Grace's son Lord George Nigel Douglas-Hamilton 2nd son of 13th Duke of Hamilton and 10th Earl of Selkirk from 1940 was another Aide-de-Camp.

Front Row left to right

Miss Inch was a Maid-of-Honour

Mrs Agnew was a Guest staying in the Palace

Marquis of Ailsa

The Marqueses of Ailsa built Culzean Castle in Southern Ayrshire, the constituency represented by the Hon James Brown. The Marquis does not appear to have held an Office at the Assembly and was probably accompanying his wife who was the Lady-in-Waiting

The Lord High Commissioner, His Grace James Brown O.B.E., D.L., I.P., MP Born 16/12/1862 at Whitletts, St Quivox Parish, Ayr Father James Brown, Mother Christina O'Hara Married 17/8/1885 to Catherine Steel Died 21/3/1939 at 29 Racecourse Road, Ayr

Children: James. Born in Tarbolton, Ayrshire about 1890

Mathew S. Born in Tarbolton, Ayrshire about 1891

John. Born in Kilbirnie about 1892

David S. Born in Tarbolton about 1896

The Lord High Commissionerís wife, Her Grace Mrs James Brown

Marchioness of Ailsa (See Marquis of Ailsa above) was the Lady-in-Waiting

The Hon. Grizel Hepburne-Scott was a Maid-of-Honour

Miss Kitty Brown, was a granddaughter of The Lord High Commisioner

Mrs Wallace Williamson was a Maid-of- Honour

While this explained who everyone was, there was also the question of what was the occasion. To find this Ian turned to the records of the Church of Scotland and particularly, those relating to the General Assembly in 1931.

Because of the range of people in the picture, it was almost certainly taken in connection with the Assembly. The General Assembly is basically the Annual General Meeting, of the Church of Scotland and is held (usually in Edinburgh) for a week in the month of May of each year. The Sessions are usually held in the Mound in the heart of Edinburgh. The Chairman is the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

The Sovereign attends the General Assembly but, in his/her absence, is represented by her Lord High Commissioner, whose duties are very largely formal and ceremonial. For example, The Lord High Commissioner in the Assembly of 2007 was His Royal Highness The Duke of York. On behalf of the Sovereign, the Lord High Commissioner makes opening and closing speeches to the Assembly and carries out a number of official visits and ceremonial functions, not all of which are related to the Church of Scotland. Whilst the General Assembly is meeting, the Lord High Commissioner is treated as if a Regent. By custom he or she is addressed as 'Your Grace' and is greeted with a bow or a curtsey. This explains why James Brown is described as 'His Grace James Brown'. Since 1834, the Lord High Commissioner has resided at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Sovereign's official residence in Scotland in Edinburgh, during the period of the General Assembly. He normally gives a Garden Party, in the grounds of Holyroodhouse, for the Commissioners to the General Assembly on the Saturday afternoon of Assembly week, and also provides other hospitality such as levees, dinner parties and attendance at certain ceremonies.

The Lord High Commissioner carries out his duties assisted by his House Party and Suite (Retinue). The term 'House Party and Suite' as referred to in the caption to the photograph, is used in that context and not to mean a specific event. The Suite is along the lines of the Household retinue used by Her Majesty.

The main ceremonial events were 'The First Levee' , the Procession to St Giles Cathedral and The Opening Ceremony which were all held on May 19, 1931. A reception and a garden party were held on May 22 and 23, 1931. 'The Scotsman' published a list of 'Their Graces Suite' and a List of those guests who were staying in the Palace with daily variations therein and various articles mentioned specific people who were present. This information confirmed the names and details above. Furthermore, using the list of names, it is almost certain that this photograph was taken at the time of the Opening Ceremony on May 19

Records consulted included:

The Official Records of Births, Marriages, Deaths and Census Returns held in the General Records Office in Edinburgh.

The Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae (that records the succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation) to trace the career of the Rev John Youngson Thomson's career.

The Scots Peerage to check the lineage of the nobles who are shown in the photograph.

The Digital Archives of the Scotsman Newspaper (based in Edinburgh) to check proceedings at the General Assembly for 1931.

This very full account of what had been labelled a 'Mystery Picture' was written by PDG Ian Campbell and shows the depth of research to which a simple problem can lead. Although it is a Paul Harris family related photograph rather than a Rotary Global History one, it does show very clearly how much there is to learn from a single item, in this case, one on show in the Paul Harris Gallery.